Total War and Armistice in World War I

Objectives Describe how World War I became a total war. Explain the effect that years of warfare had on morale. Analyze the causes and effects of American entry into the war. Summarize events that led to the end of the war.

total war – channeling all of a nation’s resources into a war effort Terms and People total war – channeling all of a nation’s resources into a war effort conscription – “the draft,” which required all young men to be ready for military or other service contraband – during wartime, military supplies and raw materials needed to make military supplies that may legally be confiscated by any belligerent Lusitania – a British liner torpedoed and sunk by a German submarine in May 1915 3

Terms and People (continued) propaganda – spreading ideas to promote or damage a cause atrocity – a horrible act committed against innocent people armistice – an agreement to end fighting Fourteen Points – U.S. President Woodrow Wilson’s list of terms for resolving World War I and future wars self-determination – the right of people to choose their own form of government 4

How did the Allies win World War I? When Russia exited the war, Germany gained ground against the Allies because the Germans were no longer fighting on two fronts. Once the Americans joined on the side of the Allies, however, the Allies were able to reverse the German gains and then push the Germans back out of France and Belgium. The German generals told their government that they could not win. 5

Imposing universal military conscription The nations involved in World War I needed to commit to a strategy of total war to support a modern mechanized war. Governments responded by Imposing universal military conscription Setting up systems to arm, transport, and supply armies Raising taxes and borrowing money Rationing food and other products Setting prices and forbidding strikes 6

Both sides in the conflict waged a propaganda war. They urged civilians to enlist or to loan money to the government. They played up atrocities committed by the enemy. They censored the press and the arts to keep bad war news from the public. 7

Total war meant that women had to take over the jobs of men who left to serve in the military. War industries Manufacturing Nursing Farming Armed forces Women worked in Their work helped convince the United States, Germany, and Britain to give women the vote. 8

In 1917, as morale fell, soldiers from many countries began to mutiny or revolt, and civilians called for peace. In Russia, protests set off a revolution that brought down the monarchy. Early in 1918, Russia’s new leader signed a treaty with Germany that withdrew Russia from the war. Russia’s withdrawal meant that Germany needed to fight only on the Western Front. 9

A German U-boat torpedoed and sank the British passenger ship Lusitania in May 1915. Almost 1,200 passengers were killed, including 128 Americans. U.S. President Woodrow Wilson threatened to cut off diplomatic relations with Germany. Germany agreed to warn passenger ships, ending submarine warfare for the moment.

International law permitted wartime blockades to confiscate contraband, but not items such as food. Britain’s navy blocked ships from carrying any goods to Germany, and many Germans went hungry. In 1915, Germany said it would use U-boats to sink all ships carrying goods to Britain.

Ships sunk by U-boats, May 1917–Jan. 1918 Before Germany could strike a decisive blow, the United States joined the war. Cultural ties between the United States and the Allies were strong. Germany resumed U-boat attacks in early 1917. In 1917, the Zimmerman note proved Germany was trying to rally Mexico against the United States. Ships sunk by U-boats, May 1917–Jan. 1918 12

In April 1917, President Wilson asked the United States Congress to declare war on Germany. Still, the United States needed months to recruit, train, supply, and transport troops. Before the Americans arrived, Germany made one last big push on the Western Front. Germany pushed the Allies back 40 miles, but the offensive exhausted German troops. By 1918, two million U.S. soldiers had joined the fighting on the Western Front and helped reverse any gains the Germans had achieved. 13

American involvement was a turning point for the Allies. Although relatively few American troops fought, their arrival boosted Allied morale. German generals told William II that the war could not be won. He fled to the Netherlands. Austria-Hungary collapsed. Bulgaria and the Ottoman empire also asked for peace. The new German government sought an armistice, and the Great War officially ended on November 11, 1918 14

Even before the war ended, Wilson had outlined a plan for a lasting peace. Wilson’s Fourteen Points included Freedom of the seas Free trade Arms reductions An end to secret treaties Self-determination for Eastern Europe An association of nations to keep the peace Hoping to resolve World War I and all future wars, Wilson urged adoption of his Fourteen Points. 15